Turtles turn the tide after coach Badrul's halftime call
In a rain-soaked encounter at the City Stadium in Georgetown, the first half was lively but goalless, with the Turtles carving out numerous openings through French striker Yan Mabella and Brazilian winger Gabriel Silva.
Penang goalkeeper Khairulazhan Khalid produced a string of excellent saves, while both teams were denied potential penalties by referee Khairulsyahmi Ahmad Khalidi.
At the break, Terengganu coach Badrul Afzan Razali kept his message clear – be patient.
'I reminded the boys to be a bit more patient in the second half.
'We had the ball, so we just needed to make quick attacks and play the right through passes.
'We worked well as a unit and deserved the win,' said Badrul.
The response was instant. Four minutes into the second half, centreback Safwan Mazlan split the defence with a pass to Azam Azmi Murad, who fired low past Khairulazhan.
Six minutes later, Mabella found Silva, whose toe-poke made it 2-0.
Badrul then rotated his attack to keep players fresh, a move that paid off when substitute Khala'if Naskam scored with his first touch in the 88th minute, latching onto fellow substitute Baqiuddin Shamsuddin's through ball.
'Khala'if came in and scored — it was perfect for us,' Badrul said.
The win gave Terengganu a flying start to their campaign, while Penang coach Wan Rohaimi Wan Ismail admitted his side 'lost rhythm' after the interval.
Terengganu next host Police in Gong Badak tomorrow, while Penang face Melaka in Hang Jebat.
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